Lordstown workers await word on strike, and new product

DETROIT — Despite the differences that remain, negotiators for the United Auto Workers and General Motors Corp. appeared to be making progress late Saturday.

Progess would at least temporarily avoid a strike by GM’s 73,000 U.S. auto workers.

At the Lordstown assembly plant, emotions are high, said Ben Strickland, UAW Local 1112 shop chairman.

Lordstown union leaders separately have been negotiating local issues at the plant with management and hoping that union bargainers in Detroit can win the plant a commitment from GM regarding a new car model.

The GM Lordstown products are the Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5 small cars, but those are expected go out of production after the 2009 model year.

It’s very much on Lordstown workers’ minds that they want to end up with a future product, said Strickland.

He said Cal Rapson, vice president of the international union, promised to do his best to secure a new product for Lordstown.

Strickland also said workers did and continue to stand by the larger union.

“We were willing to walk out in support of the International union. They have our best interests.”

For more, see Sunday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com